Xcel, Boulder Reach Impasse On Wind Energy Talks

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) -- Xcel Energy Inc. and Boulder say they have reached an impasse in talks for the utility to provide wind power to the city.

Boulder has been exploring whether to create its own utility as part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. That prompted Xcel to offer to use wind power to supply 90 percent of the city's energy, with customers helping to pay costs of building a new wind farm.

Xcel says it wanted the city to ask voters to decide among that option, a municipally owned utility, or having Xcel serve the city for 20 more years without the wind proposal, but that the city balked on the last option.

City Manager Jane Brautigam says the city doesn't want a long-term commitment to energy largely dependent on coal.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)